The BMW Art Car Collection Now Available To View Online

Since 1975 artists from across the world have contributed to the BMW Art Car Collection with their creations. 2010 saw the 35th anniversary of the Art Car Series, with Jeff Koons creating the 17th vehicle for the collection.

Published 11 July 2011Staff

For the first time, the BMW Art Car Collection can be viewed with a virtual video tour online. A virtual overview of the origin, history and development of the collection is available on the internet.

Alongside a collection of photographic material, a film has been devoted to each of the 17 "works of art on wheels" which were designed by an internationally well-known artist. Historic racing footage and artists' statements can be seen alongside renowned representatives from art and culture.

“After four decades and a total of 17 BMW Art Cars, they can now all be admired by everyone. The interactive website pays homage to the collection, unique in the history of the automobile and the arts. Whilst the originals are often exhibited individually at the BMW Museum in Munich or at significant cultural institutions throughout the world, people are now able to discover for the BMW Art Cars in their entirety. A comprehensive online tour is now available anywhere and anytime,” says Bill McAndrews, Vice President Communications Strategy and Corporate Communications.

The BMW Art Car Collection

Since 1975 artists from across the world have contributed to the BMW Art Car Collection with their creations. 2010 saw the 35th anniversary of the Art Car Series, with Jeff Koons creating the 17th vehicle for the collection.

All BMW Art cars will be on show until 25th September 211 at the BMW Museum in Munich. The pieces include racing and production saloons, coupes and roadsters.

French auctioneer and racing car driver Herve Poulain had the original idea of having a car designed by an artists, with Alexander Calder designing his BMW racing car, a BMW 3.0 CSL, at the beginning of the 1970s, which took park in the 24 hour Le Mans race. The reception was enthusiastic enough to spur on BMW to create the Art Car Collection.

Herve Poulain said about his vision: "One day, I said to myself, now is the time to do something grandly communicative and heroic and unite my two passions, by having my racing cars painted by the leading artists of the time."